Childminder in Sefton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361610 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Diane Turner

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 13, nine and five in a townhouse in the Litherland area of Liverpool. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes, with toilet facilities situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play to the rear of the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for five children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be within the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll, all of whom are within the early years age group and attend on a part-time basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very welcoming and homely environment where each child is valued as an individual. They are offered a good range of carefully planned learning opportunities, both in the home and the local environment, which capture their imagination and support their development very successfully. The childminder meets all welfare requirements very successfully, with the exception of ensuring a valid first aid qualification is continuously held. Good partnerships are established and maintained with all parents and the sharing of information is effective overall. Good attention is given to monitoring the service and promoting continuous improvement, to ensure the outcomes for children are enhanced.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course. 03/02/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 provide opportunities for parents to contribute to their child's learning and development record.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in terms of safeguarding children. Her child protection policy clearly shows she understands the possible indicators of abuse and that she knows the procedure for referring This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 any concerns. Her home provides a safe environment for children to play and learn because effective action is taken to minimise any risks. For example, written procedures are in place relating to the children's safe use of the trampoline and daily safety checks are carried out prior to the children arriving. Parents are asked to confirm who is authorised to collect the children and an agreed password is used for added security. Well thought out policies and procedures clearly show how the service operates and all documentation is extremely well organised and maintained to a good standard. However, at the inspection visit the childminder

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the early years provision

did not hold a valid first aid certificate as this had expired very recently. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. The childminder has taken action to address this, with evidence seen that she has already attended one training session to renew her certificate, and has a further session booked.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home provides children with an environment that is very conducive to learning. The conservatory is used as a playroom and offers children a good range of toys and resources, which they choose from freely. Good use is made of labelling to show the children that print has meaning and the children's artwork is attractively displayed, showing their efforts are valued and appreciated. The childminder understands fully the importance of monitoring and evaluating her service. For example, she confidently discusses the improvements she has made since her last inspection, such as developing her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Plans for future improvement are in place, such as providing the children with opportunities to plant and grow vegetables in the garden, to support their understanding of nature and food sourcing.

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the early years provision

The childminder pays good attention to promoting equality and diversity. She knows the children very well and confidently supports their individual learning styles. She develops good links with providers of other settings the children also attend, such as the local school nursery, which ensures an effective shared approach to their care and learning. For example, the childminder knows the children are learning to recognise their name at the nursery and actively supports this in her setting. A good range of resources are readily available that promote positive images of diversity, such as books and small world items. The childminder engages very positively with all parents. Settling-in visits are actively encouraged, enabling parents to discuss the children's individual routines and how these can be met. Good information is provided about the service. For example, parents receive copies of all the policies and procedures and daily chats keep them well-informed

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the six areas of learning and provides children with a good range of activities that are linked to these. Weekly plans are drawn up detailing how each child's learning will be supported and an individual record of their progress is kept. This includes the childminder's written observations of the children's achievements, photographs and examples of their work. The record is shared regularly with parents, however, they are not encouraged to add their observations of the children's learning at home. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children settle well at the childminder's home and clearly feel very safe and secure in her care. This is particularly evident as they give her a cuddle. The childminder has a very calm and caring manner and interacts with the children very well. For example, as they play with dough she shows them how to use rolling pins and

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and outcomes for children

cutters effectively, discussing how they need to use their muscles to press down. She encourages them to learn about size as they roll the dough into long and short 'worms' and to identify what colour these are.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the children very well in developing good skills for the future. For example, they learn to tidy away the toys after use to prevent trips and falls and to work together cooperatively as they join in with rhymes, such as 'Row your boat'. The children are beginning to recognise their own name and that of others and they confidently use language to describe the pictures they draw. They move rhythmically to music, play imaginatively with the dollhouse and gain great pleasure from reading books with the childminder. For example, they enthusiastically join in with familiar refrains in stories, such as 'A squash and a squeeze', and they delight in exploring the textures of 'feely' books.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the children very effectively in learning to behave well and, as a result, they understand what is expected of them. For example, they know to sit at the table to eat. The children demonstrate high levels of self- esteem, readily sharing their achievements with the childminder and knowing that she will acknowledge these with lots of praise. The children enjoy many opportunities to engage in physical activities and to benefit from fresh air. For example, they regularly play in the garden and visit a number of parks to use the large play equipment. The children take pleasure in recalling visits to the nearby woods, describing how they build dens and have to walk quietly when looking for squirrels. They take part in parachute games with their friends at the local toddler group and enjoy building sand castles at the beach. The children are offered healthy meals and snacks, confidently choosing what items of fruit they would like

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and outcomes for children

to eat, and they know that washing their hands after personal care helps to stop germs. The childminder is very effective in helping the children to keep themselves safe. For example, she reminds them to use the stairs sensibly, teaches them about road safety when out in the community and discusses why they must not stroke any unfamiliar animals they may see. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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